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Mormons and Birth Control

Mormons do believe that we each come to earth to grow, mature and be tested. In this process of mortal life we marry and when we are able, provide mortal bodies for Heavenly Father's children. It is the blessing of each father and mother to bring children into the world, to teach them righteous principles and to be sealed to them in the Mormon Temple for eternity. In our Heavenly Father's plan, Mormon members are taught that we each have our free agency, and that in matters concerning: when to have children, how many to have, and all other questions regarding such, it is between the marriage partners and God.

Mormons have never been told to have 'several children' or to 'never use birth control'. As was mentioned, those questions are between the father, mother and God.

Marriage is ordained of God, and sexual relations within marriage is divinely approved. Members have been taught that while one purpose of marriage is to provide physical bodies for God's children, another purpose is to express love for one another – which is to bind husband and wife together in loyalty, fidelity, consideration, and common purpose.1Mormon prophets have taught that physical intimacy is what strengthens the love in marriage. It is what enhances and reinforces the marital unit; and it is God's gift to a married man and woman.

Each married couple must weigh the pros and cons of how many children to have with the physical and mental health of the mother and father and the parent's ability to provide the basic necessities of life. However, the prophets have counseled, that if the addition of children into the family is based on worldly ideals, then it is not based on what God would want. Mormon Prophet Spencer W. Kimball counseled the members with the following: "…I have told many groups of young people that they should not postpone their marriage until they have acquired all of their education ambitions. I have told tens of thousands of young folks that when they marry they should not wait for children until they have finished their schooling and financial desires…"2

As with the decision of how many children to have, the prophets have not given a blatant answer because, again, it is left to the husband and wife and God to make the decision.